Water level responsive control switch assembly



Jan. 22,1952 c, R Y 2,583,077

WATER LEVEL RESPONSIVE CONTROL SWITCH ASSEMBLY Filed May 12, 1950 2 Sl-iEETSSHEET l INVENTOR. 61/4/94 5 E fl/m zr BY I Jan. 22, 1952 c, ARNEY 2,583,077

WATER LEVEL RESPONSIVEI CONTROL SWITCH ASSEMBLY Filed May 12, 1950 SI'IEETSSHEET 2 Patented Jan. 22, 1952 OFFICE :WATEB LEVEL -RESPONSIVE CONTROL SWITCH ASSEMBLY Chariegliugene Arney, Indianapolis, Ind. Application M21712, 1950, Serial No. 161,573

This invention relates to improvements in control switch assemblies and more particularly 'to a switch assembly which is responsive to the water level in a container, such as a sump or trough, for controlling a valve or pump to maintain the water level between predetermined limits.

it is among the objects of the invention to provide an improved control switch assembly having two components, one of which has no moving parts or clogable apertures or orifices and no electrical connections and is disposable in the water in a water container and the other of which parts includes the switch mechanism and electrical connections and may be disposed at a location remote from the water container and connected to the one unit by a fiexible' tube, in which the switch mechanism and electrical connections are not subjected to the water or water vapor or any impurities contained in the water, and are maintained in a clean and dry condition and in which no moving parts are subjected to the water, and which is easy to install, economical to manufacture, and positive and effective in operation.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the following description and the appended claims in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic illustration showing a switch assembly illustrative of the invention operatively installed in a water sump and in operative association with a sump pump;

Figure 2 is a side elevation on an enlarged scale of the switch unit of the assembly with a portion of the switch unit cover broken away and shown in cross section to better illustrate the switch mechanism;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of a bell unit mountable in a water receptacle and pneumatically connected to the switch unit;

Figure 4 is a transverse cross sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a longitudinal cross sectional view on the line 5-5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a cross sectional view of a fragmentary portion of the switch unit taken on the line 66 of Figure 2;

Figure '7 is a cross sectional view of a fragmentary portion of the switch unit taken on the line 1-1 of Figure 2; and

Figure 8 is a View similar to Figure '7 out showing a somewhat modified form of the device of the invention.

With continued reference to the drawings, the

water level responsive switch comprises.

4 two units, as indicated at A and B of which the unit A is mountable in a water container or sump and the unit B is mountable at some convenient location remote from the container and includes the switch mechanism.

The unit A comprises a bell I0 which is an elongated hollow body, preferably of cylindrical shape having an open end i I and an end wall I2 closing its opposite end. A tube fitting I3 extends through the end wall I2 and communicates with the interior of the bell. A tube I4, preferably of flexible material, such as rubber, is connected at one end to the fitting I 3.

The bell I0 is mountable in a water container, such as the water sump I5 in substantially vertical position with its open end submerged in water in the receptacle and near the bottom of the receptacle, as is clearly illustrated in Figure 1. This bell may be secured to the receptacle by suitable means, such as the clips I6 and I1 which rigidly support the bell member in the water receptacle.

In the arrangement illustrated in Figure l, a pumpl8 is mounted in the sump I5 and is driven by a motor I9 positioned above the sump.

The unit B is mounted at some convenient location remote from the sump where this unit will remain dry and where it can be conveniently connected to an electric outlet, such as the outlet 20 illustrated in Figure 1.

This unit comprises a hollow housing 2| which may conveniently be made in cylindrical form and provided at one end with an end wall 22. A circular, disc shaped body 23 is secured in the housing 2| at the end of the latter opposite the end wall 22 and is provided with a circular recess 24 opening to the side of the body 23 adjacent the end wall 22 of the housing.

A flexible diaphragm 25 is disposed on the side of the body 23 facing the housing end wall 22 and is marginally secured to the annular portion of the body surrounding the recess '24 in covering relationship to the recess to provide together with the recess a closed chamber. The diaphragm is marginally secured to the body 23 by, suitable means, such as the clamping washer 26 placed on the side of the diaphragm 25 opposite thebody 23 and secured to the marginal flange portion 21 of the body by cap screws 28 which extend through apertures in the washer and are threaded into tapped holes provided in the flange portion 2? of the body 23. A weight 29 is disposed on the diaphragm 25 substantially concentric with the latter. A fitting 32 extends through the wall of the body 23 and the tube I4 latter toward the end wall '22 of the housing 2|. 1

A U shaped bracket is mounted at its closed end on the frame 33 and extends toward the housing end wall and a shaft 35 is journaled at its respectively opposite ends in the legs of the bracket 35 at the open end of the bracket. A

switch retaining clip 31 is secured on the shaft 35 and a switch 38 is secured in the clip 31.

The switch 38 is a tiltable mercury switch comprising an elongated capsule 39, preferably formed of glass, and having one end closed by a cap 40. Two electrodes 4| and 42 extend through the capsule 39 from the end of the capsule opposite the cap 49 through the cap and are secured respectively to the wires 43 and 44 of a two wire conductor 45. The capsule is preferably evacuated and a globule 45 of mercury is placed in the capsule. When the switch 88 is in the inclined position illustrated in Figure 7 the globule of mercury connects the two electrodes and the switch is then in its circuit closing position. When the switch is tilted in the opposite direction the globule of mercury will move to the other end of the capsule disconnecting the two electrodes 4| and 42 and the switch will then be in its circuit opening or interruptx ing position.

A disc is secured on one end of the shaft 35 and a crank 51 is secured to this disc to rotate the shaft 35 in switch tilting directions. The crank is actuated by switch operating means comprising two rods 52 and 53 each secured at one end to the weight 29 and extending in spaced apart and substantially parallel relationship to each other from the weight 29 toward the end wall 22 of the housing. A block 54 is secured to the inner side of the housing end wall 22 and is provided with two spaced apart wells or bores 55 and 56 which respectively receive the rods 52 and 53 at the ends of the latter remote from the weight 29. The rods 52 and 53 together constitute a standard and two abutments 51 and 58 are mounted on the rods 52 and 53 and disposed at respectively opposite sides of the crank 51 elongated bar, preferably of rectangular cross section, having near each end an aperture receiving a corresponding rod 52 or 53 and these abutments are adjustably secured on the rods by suitable means such as the set screws 59 and 55 threaded through tapped holes in the bars 51 and 58 respectively and engaging one of the rods.

The block 54 bears at one end on the end of the secondary frame 34 adjacent the end wall 22 of the housing and at its other end against the housing end wall and a ring bolt BI is threaded through the housing end wall and into this block to suspend the switch unit B at the desired location.

A terminal panel 62 comprising a block of electrically insulative material, such as reinforced synthetic resin plastic, and wire connecting terminals 63, 64 and 65 thereon, is mounted on the secondary frame 34.

The two wires 43 and 44 of the conductor 45 llach of the abutments 51 and 58 comprises an are connected respectively to the terminals 84 and 55. The two-wire extension cords 66 and 61 are led into the housing 2| through a cord receiving formation 58 and a grommet 69 secured in an aperture in the side wall of the housing. As illustrated in Figure 1, the extension cord 56 leads from the convenience outlet 25 to the switch unit B, and the extension cord 61 leads from the switch unit B to the pump motor l9.

One wire 10 of the extension cord 55 is connected to the terminal 53 and one wire ii of the extension cord 51 is also connected to this terminal 53 so that the two wires 15 and ll of the two extension cords are electrically connected together. The other wire 12 of the extension cord 85 is connected to the terminal 55 and the other wire l3 of the extension cord 51 is connected to the terminal 64 so that the wires 12 and "#3 will be electrically interconnected only when the switch 38 is closed.

In the arrangement illustrated in Figure 1 the motor l9 will be energized to operate the pump 18 and remove Water from the sump l5 when the switch 38 is closed. With this arrangement, as the water level rises in the sump K5 the water will rise in the tube or hell I0 and increase the pressure of the air in the bell and in the chamber provided by the recess 24. When the air pressure has increased to a predetermined extent it will raise the diaphragm 25 and move the switch operating means to turn the switch carrying shaft 35 and tilt the switch 38 to its closed position. This is occasioned by the lower abutment 5? contacting the crank 5i and raising the crank as the diaphragm 25 rises. The closing of the switch will place the motor in operation and as the water is pumped out of the sump the level in the bell l5 will gradually descend and the air pressure will decrease so that the diaphragm 25 will also descend. When the water level in the;

sump has returned to a predetermined position the top abutment 58 will contact the crank 5| and will turn the switch carrying shaft 35 to tilt the switch to its circuit interrupting position whereupon operation of the pump motor I!) will be discontinued. The positions of the two water levels can be varied by shifting the abutments 5'1 and 58 longitudinally of the rods 52 and 53 and the switch operating pressure can be varied by using bells or tubes of diiferent diameters.

If it is desired to use the switch assembly to maintain a receptacle, such as a waterin trough, substantially full, instead of substantially empty as in the case of the sump described above, the position of the switch 38 will be reversed from the position illustrated in Figure '7 to that illustrated in Figure 8. Under these conditions the switch will be moved to its circuit closing position when the diaphragm is at its lowest position and will be moved to its circuit opening or interrupting position when the diaphragm is at its highest position. In this case the switch may be used to control either a pump motor or a solenoid operated valve or similar device, and when the water level in the receptacle has descended to a predetermined position the switch will be closed to open the valve or operate the motor un til the water level has been raised to a diflerent predetermined position whereupon the switch will be actuated to close the valve or discontinue operation of the motor. Where the switch is used to control the water level in a receptacle, such as a watering trough, a bell l0 may be placed in the receptacle while the switch unit B may be placed in a building where it will be maintained in a clean and dry condition.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are, therefore, intended to be embraced therein.

ing said recess, a weight mounted on said diaphragm at the side of the latter remote from said body, a frame secured to said one side of said body, a switch holder pivotally mounted on said frame, a crank secured to said switch holder, a

standard secured to said weight and extending past said crank, and spaced apart abutments carried by said standard and alternatively engageable with said crank to tilt said switch in response to movements of said diaphragm.

2. A water level responsive switch assembly including a hollow bell having an open end and a closed end and adapted to be mounted in a water container with its open lower end submerged in water in ,the container, a housing adapted to be supported in upright position at a location remote from said bell, a body in said housing at the lower end of the latter and having a recess therein opening to the upper side thereof, a flexible diaphragm marginally secured to said body and covering said recess to render said recess a closed chamber, a tube connecting the interior of said bell at the closed end of the latter to the closed chamber in said body whereby variations in the fluid pressure in said bell will move said diaphragm toward and away from said body, a frame secured to said body and disposed within said housing, a holder for a tiltable switch pivotally mounted on said frame, a crank on said switch holder, a weight mounted on said diaphragm, a standard secured at one end to said weight and upstanding therefrom past said crank, and spaced apart abutments carried by said standard and alternatively engageable with said crank to tilt said switch holder in one direction when said diaphragm moves toward said body under the influence of said weight and in the other direction when said diaphragm moves away from said body in response to an increase in the fluid pressure in said chamber.

CHARLES EUGENE ARNEY.

, REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the tile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 932,079 Williams Aug. 24, 1909 1,055,099 Sullivan Mar. 4, 1913 1,488,237 Durdin, Jr. Mar. 25, 1924 1,838,135 Derby Dec. 29, 1931 1,941,815 Ringstrom Jan. 2, 1934 2,270,608 Sandberg Jan. 20, 1942 

